apathy
AP-uh-thee
/ˈæpəθi/
Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern; complete emotional indifference.
Reflects a neutral or sluggish absence of feeling rather than active malice or open hatred.
The story behind the word. Originally imported into English in the late 16th century from Stoic philosophy ('apatheia'), where it was actually considered a positive state of freedom from disruptive passion. By the 18th century, its meaning inverted to signify lazy or unhealthy indifference.
Word relationships
- indifference: Indifference is lack of preference or concern, while apathy often implies a broader emotional numbness.
- enthusiasm: Enthusiasm is energetic excitement, whereas apathy is total emotional flatness.
Commonly confused with
- antipathy: Apathy is feeling nothing at all; antipathy is feeling strong active dislike.
Word family
- apathetic (adjective): Showing or feeling no interest or enthusiasm.
Collocations
- voter apathy
- widespread apathy
- public apathy
- slide into apathy
Idioms & expressions
- shrug off with apathy
Example sentences
- "Voter apathy resulted in a record low turnout at the municipal election." Political commentary
- "The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's apathy." Literary work
Memory hook
Apathy = A (without) PATHY (passion or feeling). Without passion, totally detached.
When not to use
Do not use if the person actively opposes or hates something; use antipathy instead.
Fun facts
- Stoic philosophers prized 'apatheia' as a state of calm equanimity free from emotional turmoil—very different from modern 'apathy'!
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